By Cheryl Brown

Last week, I participated in a convening, sponsored by the College Futures Foundation under the leadership of Julia I. Lopez, titled “Toward a Shared Vision: Increasing Bachelor Degree Attainment in the Inland Empire.” Dozens of leaders from across the region representing K-12 school districts, community colleges and universities, in addition to representatives from business and civic organizations, participated in the event.

The discussion was an important one, especially since our region is dead last in educational attainment among communities with populations totaling one million or more. The level of bachelor degree attainment in Inland Empire is only 18 percent. This is extremely low when compared to a statewide average of 32 percent. These results are concerning and a clarion call for improvement. In addition, the reality that 60 percent of Inland Empire students are students of color must not go unnoticed.

Read the full story at Redlands Daily Facts.